An obscure clash on Canadian soil just a year before Confederation may not resonate widely with Canadians beyond the town of Fort Erie, Ont., but it holds significance in several historical aspects. The Battle of Ridgeway, also known as Limestone Ridge, in 1866 marked the first instance of Canadian troops led by Canadian officers engaging in combat. This event also served as the inspiration for Decoration Day, a precursor to Remembrance Day still observed in certain regions annually. Despite these historical connections, the nine individuals who lost their lives in the battle are notably absent from the Books of Remembrance, a compilation honoring soldiers who died in service to Canada.
A fresh petition slated for presentation in the House of Commons aims to rectify this omission by advocating for the inclusion of the fallen nine and others who perished in the aftermath of the battle. Conservative MP Fred Davies, championing the petition in Parliament, emphasized the importance of recognizing those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of Canada.
The Battle of Ridgeway unfolded as a challenging encounter for the inexperienced Canadian volunteers confronting seasoned Fenian raiders, many of whom were veterans of the American Civil War. The Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish American movement seeking Irish independence from British rule, initiated the incursion by attempting to seize territories in British North America. In response, approximately 800 Canadian volunteers from various regiments confronted the raiders at Limestone Ridge near Ridgeway and Fort Erie.
Historian Peter Vronsky, author of “Ridgeway: The American Fenian Invasion And The 1866 Battle That Made Canada,” praised the swift mobilization of hundreds of Canadians from the Golden Horseshoe region. However, he highlighted the ill-preparedness of Canadian troops for what he termed as Canada’s initial modern battle, lacking essentials like food rations and proper footwear.
Although the Canadians faced a defeat on the battlefield, their resistance deterred the Fenians, leading to the adversaries retreating back to the U.S. side of the Niagara River. Despite the tactical setback, Davies emphasized that the sacrifice of those who perished should be duly acknowledged for their defense of Canada against external threats.
A memorial commemorating the nine fallen soldiers from Ridgeway was erected in 2016, yet attempts to have their names inscribed in the Books of Remembrance have been unsuccessful so far, as noted by Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop. The legacy of the Battle of Ridgeway, though predating the formal establishment of Canada, is seen as a pivotal event that influenced Confederation, according to Redekop, Davies, and Vronsky.
The enduring regiments that participated in the 1866 battle, such as the Queen’s Own Rifles and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, continue to exist today, symbolizing the evolution of Canada’s armed forces. Alexander Muir, author of “The Maple Leaf Forever,” composed the patriotic ballad following his engagement in the Ridgeway conflict, drawing inspiration from the maple leaf insignia of the Queen’s Own Rifles.
Vronsky highlighted the significance of Canadians fighting for their homeland during the Battle of Ridgeway, emphasizing a newfound sense of allegiance to the maple leaf emblem over traditional ties to the British Crown.